America's Reproductive Medical Specialists Speak on Hobby Lobby Case

As the highest court in the land convenes to hear Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., we are pleased to join with our colleagues throughout medicine to support the inclusion of contraception as an essential health benefit. We are a proud signatory to an amicus curia brief laying out the vital medical issues at stake.

As physicians, we are trained to look at the data, and in this case the data are extremely clear: access to contraception saves lives. As experts in reproduction we know the key to maximizing the chances for a successful pregnancy and a healthy baby - planning. Planned pregnancies are far more likely to lead to safe deliveries, healthy mothers and healthy babies.

This country's reproductive specialists are tired of our field being singled out. We are tired of our patients being denied access to the care they need because others, be they politicians or business owners, think they can make decisions about someone else's reproductive life. We reject that notion. Patients and physicians should make health care decisions, not bosses or elected officials.

The Institute of Medicine, a prestigious group of medical experts chartered by Congress to give them advice on medical issues, determined that contraception was of such value that all health plans should offer it. We would not dream of allowing a business to deny access to emergency care because they did not believe in it; we must treat contraception the same way.

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine, founded in 1944, is an organization of more than 8,000 physicians, researchers, nurses, technicians and other professionals dedicated to advancing knowledge and expertise in reproductive biology. Affiliated societies include the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology, the Society for Male Reproduction and Urology, the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, the Society of Reproductive Surgeons and the Society of Reproductive Biologists and Technologists. www.asrm.org